Clarkson

Overview

Thomas Clarkson was better known as a maker of steam commercial vehicles, especially buses. His first petrol car was made in partnership with Herbert Capel . It was a massive barouche whose body was suspended by C-springs on an underframe which carried all the machinery. Exhibited at the Automobile Club’s show at Richmond in 1899, it was almost certainly a one-off as was a light steam Victoria converted from a horse-drawn carriage, seen at the same show.

Clarkson moved to Chelmsford in 1902 and made a few steam cars powered by 12hp 2-cylinder engines. Few were made and Clarkson concentrated on steam buses. At its peak his fleet in London alone was 173 vehicles. He stayed in business until the mid 1920s.